Avoid cigarettes and smokey rooms. Smoking strains the vocal cords. If you do not smoke, but are surrounded by smokers, leave the room if you can. Consider changing singing venues if you perform in a smokey pub.
Drink plenty of water. Drink more than the minimum of six to eight glasses of water per day. Carry a water bottle or have a water pitcher available at all times.
Sleep well. Arrange your schedule so that eight hours of sleep is possible. This may involve occasionally declining invitations or sleeping in.
Use a microphone. If you sing without one in a theater production, use a microphone for other engagements, such as an award's presentation or a wedding toast.
Support your voice. When you inhale, draw a breath beginning in your diaphragm. If you have never been trained professionally, seek out a vocal coach. While you may possess a beautiful voice, an instructor teaches you how to sing with less strain on your instrument.
Rest your voice. If you feel your throat pinch or hear your voice crack, stop singing until your voice recovers. Speak "above your voice," also known as whispering.
Drink tea. Prepare your favorite tea with lemon and honey. Lemon, honey and hot water soothe the throat. Choose an herbal tea, rather than a caffeinated variety. Caffeine and alcohol dry out the throat.
Consult a physician. If hoarseness persists, it could indicate a greater problem, such as influenza, polyps, nodules or tumors. Nodules evolve into nodes, or callouses on the vocal cords.